Method and apparatus for automated determination of expiration of an image production device that is currently in use by a customer

An apparatus that automatically determines the expiration of an image production device that is currently in use by a customer, comprising:

• a memory;
• a communication interface;
• and
• an image production device expiration determination unit that:
• retrieves via the communication interface and stores in the memory values related to at least two of:
• 1) a frequency of maintenance incidents requiring a use of image production device service personnel, 2) an historical usage volume and costs associated with the historical usage volume, 3) a frequency of negative service level agreement (SLA) impacts and costs, and 4) projected future maintenance item costs, for the currently used image production device;
• determines an existing life value based on the retrieved values related to at least two of:
• 1) a frequency of maintenance incidents requiring a use of image production device service personnel, 2) an historical usage volume and costs associated with the historical usage volume, 3) a frequency of negative service level agreement (SLA) impacts and costs, and 4) projected future maintenance item costs, for the currently used image production device;
• retrieves via the communication interface and stores in the memory values related to at least two of:
• 1) projected future maintenance item costs, 2) replacement image production device cost, 3) value of removed hardware from currently used image production device, and 4) projected frequency of maintenance incidents requiring a use of image production device service personnel, of a replacement image production device that can satisfy the historical usage volume of the currently used image production device;
• determines a replacement value based on the retrieved values related to at least two of:
• 1) projected future maintenance item costs, 2) replacement image production device cost, 3) value of removed hardware from currently used image production device, and 4) projected frequency of maintenance incidents requiring a use of image production device service personnel, of a replacement image production device that can satisfy the historical usage volume of the currently used image production device;
• and
• comparing the determined existing life value to the determined replacement value;
• determining whether the currently used image production device should be replaced based on the comparison;
• and
• sending a notification that the currently used image production device should be replaced if it is determined that the currently used image production device should be replaced.

A non-transient computer-readable medium storing instructions for automated determination of expiration of an image production device that is currently in use by a customer, the instructions comprising:

• retrieving values related to at least two of:
• 1) a frequency of maintenance incidents requiring a use of image production device service personnel, 2) an historical usage volume and costs associated with the historical usage volume, 3) a frequency of negative service level agreement (SLA) impacts and costs, and 4) projected future maintenance item costs, for the currently used image production device;
• determining an existing life value based on the retrieved values related to at least two of:
• 1) a frequency of maintenance incidents requiring a use of image production device service personnel, 2) an historical usage volume and costs associated with the historical usage volume, 3) a frequency of negative service level agreement (SLA) impacts and costs, and 4) projected future maintenance item costs, for the currently used image production device;
• retrieving values related to at least two of:
• 1) projected future maintenance item costs, 2) replacement image production device cost, 3) value of removed hardware from currently used image production device, and 4) projected frequency of maintenance incidents requiring a use of image production device service personnel, of a replacement image production device that can satisfy the historical usage volume of the currently used image production device;
• determining a replacement value based on the retrieved values related to at least two of:
• 1) projected future maintenance item costs, 2) replacement image production device cost, 3) value of removed hardware from currently used image production device, and 4) projected frequency of maintenance incidents requiring a use of image production device service personnel, of a replacement image production device that can satisfy the historical usage volume of the currently used image production device;
• comparing the determined existing life value to the determined replacement value;
• determining whether the currently used image production device should be replaced based on the comparison;
• and sending a notification that the currently used image production device should be replaced if it is determined that the currently used image production device should be replaced.